The Wind in the Willows at Southwark Playhouse Elephant

Upon entering the space in which The Wind in the Willows is performed at London’s newly opened Southwark Playhouse Elephant branch, a general sense of merriment dominates. One could easily mistake the set for a homey countryside pub. The performers are already in place, sitting at tables where they laugh, chat, and “drink”. A chalkboard menu displays the dishes of the day, including Toad in the Hole: a clever allusion to one of the main characters we’ve yet to meet.

Adapted for the stage from Kenneth Grahame’s classic story of the same name, The Wind in the Willows follows a group of four anthropomorphised animal friends throughout the English countryside. The storyline, originally adapted by Alan Bennett, hinges around the adventures of Toad and his friends Ratty, Moley and Badger. Their escapades are both whimsical and grave in turns, ranging from meandering along the river in Ratty’s houseboat to breaking into Mr Toad’s occupied mansion.

At a running time of 130 minutes, the show is packed full of action, which is broken up intermittently by musical numbers. The songs are performed enthusiastically by the entire cast, all of whom are members of the Southwark Players Elders Company, which consists solely of actors aged 65 and over, with various levels of acting experience.

This production of the well-loved tale is a culmination of lessons learned in regular drama workshops provided by the Southwark Playhouse. As some members are total newcomers to the craft of acting, the Southwark Players were ambitious in their choice to stage such a lengthy and multilayered show. Their enthusiasm is clear on the stage, as they manage to maintain high energy throughout the entire show. Stand-out performances come from Wendy Buckley, whose deadpan deliveries as Albertina the horse garnered consistent laughs, and Keith Biley’s boisterous Toad, to name a few.

Despite the clear zeal and estimable effort of the cast, The Wind in the Willows must be taken at face value for what it is: a beginner’s production. In order to enjoy it, audience members must not enter with the expectation of considerable theatrical prowess. It is best enjoyed as a pleasant reminiscence of the classic story – an ode to the power of friendship – rather than a feat of fine art. Thus, while this performance is a laudable step in the actors’ dramaturgical learning process, it is worth remembering that it is just that: a step.

Madison Sotos

The Wind in the Willows is at Southwark Playhouse Elephant from 19^th January until 21^st January 2023. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.